The drone show that never happened on July 4 is getting a second chance Saturday night in downtown Westmont.
Mayor Steve Nero announced Monday, July 7, that the village has rescheduled the drone show for Saturday, July 11, at 10:15 p.m. during the Taste of Westmont festival. The show will launch near the main stage at 246 N. Cass Avenue.
"We were unable to follow through on the scheduled drone show at the 4th of July Celebration, so we've made plans to have the drone show at the Taste of Westmont!" Nero said in a village statement.
The drone show was originally announced in June as a special addition to the village's America 250 celebration at Ty Warner Park. The village has not said publicly why the July 4 show did not take place.
Cass Avenue closes Wednesday evening
The four-day festival runs Thursday, July 9, through Sunday, July 12, but the street closure starts a day earlier. Cass Avenue from Burlington Avenue to Naperville Road, along with nearby side streets, closes Wednesday, July 8, at 6 p.m. and won't reopen until Sunday, July 13, at 7 a.m., according to the village announcement.
That's three blocks of Westmont's main business corridor shut down for nearly five days. The weekly Cruisin' Nights car show, which normally draws crowds to Cass Avenue on Thursdays, is skipping July 9 because of the festival.
What's at the festival
The Taste of Westmont, presented by the Westmont Special Events Corporation led by Executive Director Kristina Kaniauskaite, has drawn more than 30,000 attendees in past years, according to Arts DuPage. Admission is free.
The lineup includes two music stages, two beer tents, a food court featuring local restaurants, an all-ages carnival, a craft show, commercial vendors, kids activities, and a blues jam. Former Grand Funk Railroad lead singer Mark Farner performs Saturday, July 11.
Parking and access
The village is running a free shuttle from the Westmont Library at 428 N. Cass Ave. on Saturday, July 11, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., with buses running roughly every 30 minutes. Handicapped parking is available near the Bank of America property at Linden and Norfolk.
Residents and businesses along the corridor should plan for limited access through Sunday morning. More information is available at westmontevents.com or by calling 630-829-9378.
